Refugee advocate John Gibson dies

Michael Gordon

Refugee groups are mourning one of their most admired advocates after prominent Melbourne lawyer John Gibson died yesterday after a long battle with cancer.

‘‘Refugees have lost a remarkable and courageous defender in John Gibson,’’ said Richard Towle, for the United Nations’ refugee agency. ‘‘John was a strong supporter of the moral and legal principles of refugee protection.’’ Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture director Paris Aristotle said Mr Gibson’s relentless pursuit of justice and care for refugees had helped thousands of people.

Mr Gibson was the founding chairman of the foundation and was president of the Refugee Council of Australia for six years.